ilex Construction & Woodworking. Photography by Bob Narod
If your family is like most, you did some entertaining over the winter holidays and spent a lot of time cooped up indoors waiting for warm weather over the past few months. You may have also started a list of things you’d like to improve about your home. Maybe your dining room is too small or doesn’t flow well from the kitchen or other areas where you entertain. Maybe your kitchen is out-dated, or the guest bath needs a makeover. Maybe the kids are getting older, and you need to create a spot where they can hang out with friends. Or maybe your exterior just needs a facelift. Whatever your desire, professional remodelers are experienced at assessing your specific needs and helping plan solutions for a home better suited to the life you want to live. In the following pages, we feature award-winning projects from some of the region’s top remodelers. The Home Builders Association of Maryland (HBAM) Remodelor’s Council and the Maryland Improvement Contractors Association (MICA) each gather once a year to honor members for jobs well done. ChesapeakeHome is proud to feature a selection of award-winning projects.
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING $600,000 TO $1,000,000
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
ILEX Construction & Wood working
Built in the early 1920s, this Gibson Island residence changed hands several times over the years, but never underwent a major renovation or rehabilitation until purchased by the most recent homeowners. With a dysfunctional floorplan complicated by numerous additions and the roof, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural systems at the end of their useful lives, the home needed considerable attention. The renovation was designed and constructed with all amenities, master bedroom and bath, kitchen, and garage on one level to provide access to one of the homeowners, who is disabled. Additionally, the home needed to include space for family and friends who visit often. Featuring cutting-edge technology and finest-quality materials, the completed project takes full advantage of the home’s original character, adding features that capitalize on the unique architecture and provide functionality for the homeowners. (ilexconstruction.com or 410-243-6796) Photo by Bob Narod
HISTORIC RESTORATION $250,000 TO $400,000
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Baldwin Homes, Inc.
Built in the early 1900s,this carriage house and adjacent Twin Oaks Mansion had been vacant for some years and were suffering from neglect until Baldwin Homes began historic renovations. Once the mansion was completed in 2002, Baldwin Homes began work on the carriage house, completely gutting and restoring the historical structure to its original condition. Today, the carriage house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has met the standards of the Maryland Historical Trust. (baldwinhomes.net or 410-544-2200)
OUTDOOR LIVING $50,000 & UNDER
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
The Baywood Design Build Group,Inc.
To integrate a contemporary, light-filled sunroom where the homeowners would spend a great deal of time, Baywood Design Build created a bold space with strong rooflines and visually dynamic, stacked windows. Designed to complement the subtle, Japanese-style décor and architectural details, the sunroom takes full advantage of its surroundings to provide an aesthetically interesting and functional space. (baywooddesignbuild.com or 410-995-6363)
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING $1,000,000 & OVER
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
ILEX Construction & Woodworking
Chopped up into large, formal rooms and small bedrooms, this old Georgian home was unrealistic for the day-to-day needs of an active, 21st century family. ILEX’s goal was to transform the grand old house into a warm, comfortable place for family, friends, and two large dogs that had the run of the house. Plans called for the kitchen to be moved and enlarged, bathrooms and bedrooms completely renovated, floors removed and replaced, walls torn down and moved, a stairway and second floor laundry added, and the basement finished as a playroom. Virtually every surface in the house was improved—new windows, doors, paint, and floor coverings as well as electrical and mechanical systems. Final plans called for a challenging family room addition to be creatively engineered and subtly styled to complement the formal Georgian exterior of this grand home. (ilexconstruction.com or 410-820-4393) Photo by Bob Narod
RESIDENTIAL BATH UNDER $40,000
ROYAL AWARD WINNER
Welsh Construction Remodeling Company
Usually a luxury bath project such as this originates from the customer’s desire to improve an existing bath that is outdated or cramped. In this case, however, the owners had no such luxury. Because this home was ravaged by fire, the homeowners turned tragedy into opportunity, creating a luxurious bath with a whirlpool tub set beneath a garden window, a custom shower unit with multiple body sprays, granite vanity tops, and elegant ceramic tile treatments through-out. The new bath provided every-thing the owners had ever wanted: room to soak in the tub and enjoy the view of the tree-lined yard as well as a full body spa system in the shower. (welsh49.com or 410-732-1360)
RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR OVER $50,000
ROYAL AWARD WINNER
American Design and Build, Ltd.
The goal of this project was to create a space for entertainment and relaxation. The result was a 22′ x 22′ custom addition with a 9′ x 12′ wine room and connecting area. The existing exterior and interior trim featured custom millwork that had to be matched. American Design and Build also constructed archways leading into the new addition and had custom casing milled for the application. (adbuild.com or 410-557-0555)
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR OVER $50,000
ROYAL AWARD WINNER
ADR Builders
ADR’s clients wanted to reconfigure the rooms on the first floor of their home in order to join the living room with the family room as well as to create a direct connection between the kitchen and these rooms. The laundry room also needed renovating. A hallway was cut through the existing powder room and storage room to connect the living and family rooms. The wall adjacent to the new hallway was opened to provide access from the kitchen to the living room and family room. (adrbuilders.com or 410-561-0221)
BATHROOM REMODELING $40,000 & UNDER
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Robert Kutner Associates, Inc.
Too small for today’s standards, the existing master bath was a basic 1950s layout that had fallen into disrepair. The husband and wife clients each had their own criteria that needed to be met, including lots of natural light, an oversized shower, his and her vanities, a whirlpool tub with views to the backyard, and an exterior door that opens to a deck with a hot tub. Kutner’s solution called for the construction of an addition to include the new master bath and walk-in closets with access from the existing bedroom. (410-308-3875)
HISTORIC RESTORATION AND COMMERCIAL $450,000 & OVER
AWARDS OFEXCELLENCE WINNER
Wheatley Associates, Inc.
Originally built in 1876,the Price-Akehurst House had been well used and added onto for decades until eventually falling to neglect in the 1990s.Recognizing the property as a prime location for its offices, Wheatley Associates purchased the Price-Akehurst House for historic restoration and addition. The remodeling process uncovered the original 1876 chestnut log home. The logs were conserved and are now, along with 200-year-old beams, a focal point of the structure. The historic renovation includes a conference room, lobby, and executive offices. While none of the exterior could be salvaged, Wheatley was determined to maintain the integrity of the building and selected products that meet or exceed the criteria of the Baltimore County Landmark Preservation Committee. The neglected building has been lovingly restored, and 1800 square feet were added to provide the amenities of a functional, 21st century office. (wheatleyassociates.com or 410-329-2500) Photo by Curtis Martin
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN OVER $50,000
ROYAL AWARD WINNER
Gilday Renovations
The original kitchen in theSanders’ Jarrettsville home wasextremely small and very inconvenient when it came toentertaining and cooking.Inorder to combat this problem,the kitchen was expanded andopened up into a small sittingarea.This project,which alsoincluded many windows to allownatural sunlight and a well-constructed wine cellar,resultedin an additional 500 square feet in the kitchen. (gilday.com or 301-565-4600)
KITCHEN REMODELING $100,000 & OVER
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Owings Brothers Contracting
A growing family required an updated kitchen and breakfast eating area to accommodate an active lifestyle. The original kitchen was of a tract home nature—functional, but not practical for a growing family’s needs. Their wish was to remain in their present home and upgrade the deficiencies to create a more enjoyable life experience. To meet the challenge, Owings Brothers created a rear addition, which would act as the new breakfast eating area and alleviate space restraints inside the existing home. The new kitchen includes a large island, a wrap-around section creating flow between the kitchen and breakfast area, upgraded lighting, a tile back-splash, and custom cabinetry, all of which combine to provide the home-owners with a beautiful, more functional space. (owingsbrothers.com or 410-781-7022) Photo by Curtis Martin
ENTIRE HOUSE ROYAL AWARD WINNER
ARDO Contracting
The homeowner wanted a nice, large master suite and new kitchen taking advantage of the lakefront views from the homesite. A master suite was designed and built on a new floor above the original location. Overall, this project added 1,230 square feet to the home, with over 1,400square feet of the main floor undergoing renovations. (ARDOinc.com or 410-290-9899)
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN UNDER $50,000
ROYAL AWARD WINNER
Kitchen Savers of Baltimore
For this project, Kitchen Savers of Baltimore’s clients desired a modern kitchen with a cohesive appearance that flowed with the rest of the home. In order to update the style and function of the kitchen, a Jim Bishop “Martinique” style made of maplewood with a pickled base coat and a chocolate glaze finish technique were employed. Other features included simple pewter pulls, mahogany molding, Silestone countertops, and an under-mounted stainless steel sink. (410-363-8283)
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING $400,000 TO $600,000
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Owings Brothers Contracting
To transform a 1970s traditional floor plan and make it a more func-tional, open, and flowing space, Owings Brothers worked with the owners of this home to reconfigure and renovate much of the existing home. The kitchen was redesigned and an expanded, eat-in breakfast area added. The entire basement level was renovated to accommodate entertaining and children, and an open porch was converted to a sunroom, which complements the adjacent family room. To create these changes, an existing breezeway was renovated, 80% of the bearing walls were removed, and the existing open porch was structurally modified and converted into a sunroom. (owings-brothers.com or 410-781-7022) Photo by Curtis Martin
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING $100,000 to $150,000
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Owings Brothers Contracting
The homeowner purchased this home several years ago with the intention of making some major improvements to the first floor. After a separate kitchen renovation was complete, Owings Brothers began a project creating a front entry, an elegant foyer, an upscale custom staircase, built-in units between the spaces, and many architectural elements, adding a traditional overtone to this home. To accommodate these wishes, a front addition was integrated and bearing walls were relocated. Owings Brothers placed a high level of attention to quality, detail, andstyle. (owingsbrothers.com or410-781-7022) Photo by Curtis Martin
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING $200,000 to $270,000
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Sullivan Blake Remodeling, Inc.
A small, weekend, waterfront home needing major renovation blossomed with the guidance of Sullivan Blake Remodeling. The home was originally built in the late 1920s with little relationship to the site, and the homeowner’s goal was to capitalize on the water views and make sense of eight decades worth of disjointed additions—the clients desired additional space, ar evitalized kitchen and bathroom, and a relationship between the interior and waterfront—every space needed to benefit from the dramatic natural environment the site had to offer. To accomplish this, two spacious levels were added—the main space, including kitchen, living room, and dining room, was defined by a dramatic window wall, and additional spaces including a guest room and master suite were connected directly to the main space and the panoramic view. (sullivanblake.com or 410-418-9166)
OUTDOOR LIVING $100,000 & Over
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
James Contracting, Inc.
Combining outdoor living with the benefits of a luxurious home, this pool and well-appointed pool house offer a relaxing escape with all the conveniences. Featuring an audio visual system that can be enjoyed poolside, a table for six, two bars, a fully functional kitchen with granite countertops and ceramic floors, a full bath, an outdoor shower, and a hot tub, the pool house offers all the style and function one could want. (410-833-1912)
KITCHEN REMODELING $50,000 t0 $100,000
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER
Zwingelberg Enterprises, Inc.
This 1896 home had been cut into apartments, and the homeowners wanted to remove the apartments and return it to the grand home it once was. Among other plans, the homeowners wanted an elegant and sophisticated kitchen. The remodel uncovered years of renovations and layers of construction. In order to bring the home construction back to its original quality, many of the walls, ceilings, and floors needed to be rebuilt. Once the major renovations were complete, ZEI worked with CareFree Kitchens to accomplish the stylish kitchen the homeowners desired. (410-455-6466)
For more information on this year’s award winners, the Home Builders Association of Maryland Remodelor’s Council, or the Maryland Improvement Contractor’s Association, visit HBAM’s homebuilders.org or MICA’s marylandremodelers.com.
